Caracal

Caracals are native to Africa and from the Middle East to India. They are known for their large, black tufted ears. Caracal in Turkish means “Black Eared”. Caracals are fierce predators that hunt birds and can take down animals up to three times their size.

The average lifespan for a caracal in the wild is 8 to 10 years. In captivity they can live between 15 and 18 years.

Shape & Size

Caracals are 23.5 to 36 inches long and can weigh between 9 and 42 pounds. Male Caracals are typically larger than females. They have shorter tails compared to most cats that average between 9 and 12 inches long. Caracals have longer and more muscular hind legs than front legs which allows them to jump up to 10 feet vertically.

Color Pattern

Caracals are usually tawny and reddish in color; however a few melanstic (all black) caracals have been spotted in the wild. Caracals have black tufted ears and white spotted stomachs.

Behavior

Caracals are solitary cats that only come together during mating. Mothers care for their young up to a year, then the kittens leave in search of their own territories. Caracals, in Africa, are known as “Little Lions” for their fierce attitudes and aggressive nature. Caracals are nocturnal hunters, preying mostly on small mammals but are capable of taking down prey as large as an Impala and Antelope.

Habitat

Caracals live in Africa in a variety of habitats including woodlands, savannas, semi-deserts. They live mostly in arid habitats with some rainfall and cover. Caracals primarily hunt on the ground but have been known to climb trees to escape danger and fish in nearby streams and rivers. A caracal will typically remain in its territory for its entire life; females have smaller habitats than male caracals.

Principal Threats

Caracals are often killed by farmers because they are a nuisance and will often kill livestock. They are also killed for their fur and for meat. Habitat destruction and deforestation for farming also threatens Caracals.

Caracal caracal

Range Map

Range

Caracals are native to the majority of Africa, Middle East and even into India.

Food

Caracals eat a wide variety of mammals. They primarily eat small mammals including mice, rats, hares and hyraxes but have been known to take down prey much larger than themselves. Caracals are capable of taking down prey as large as an antelope and impala. They also have been witnessed attacking an ostrich that is lying down.

Reproductive Habits

A Caracal’s gestation period is approximately 2-2 1/2 months and they have between 1-4 kittens per litter. Kittens are weaned from their mother around 10 weeks and begin to eat meat at this time. Caracal kittens remain with their mothers up to a year before leaving to find their own territory.

Behavior

Caracals are primarily solitary, though pairs have been known to live together for a significant amount of time. Caracals in the wild typically live between 10-12 years but in captivity can live up to 16 years or more. Caracals have a wide range of sounds including hissing, growling, barking, purring, and snarling. Like other cats, Caracals make their territory with scent. They have scent glands on their cheeks and will rub against trees and bushes to leave their scent. They will also spray their odor on their territory. Scratching trees not only sharpens their claws but also leaves their scent behind.

Conservation

Humans are Caracal’s primary threat. They are often killed without restriction because they are seen as a problem animal. Even though they are able to be hunted in much of their range, they continue to thrive. Their stealthy nature prevents them from being seen by human most of the time.

Fun Caracal Facts

Caracals can jump 10 feet up in the air to catch birds

Caracals will sometimes take down prey 3 times their size

Caracal comes from a Turkish word meaning "Black Eared"

Caracals are a keystone species because they help control the rodent population

In Africa caracals are sometimes referred to as the Desert Lynx or Little Lion